Life and Religion

Hundreds of walkers will put their best foot forward on May 18 to find a cure for multiple sclerosis.

The Greater Carolinas Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is sponsoring the annual Charlotte Walk MS at Symphony Park at SouthPark Mall. Organizers anticipate more than 1,200 participants at the walk, which starts at 9:30 a.m.

The Charlotte chapter estimates there are over 14,000 residents living with MS in the area. Sixty percent of funds raised will go toward programs, services and advocacy and percent will go towards national research to find the cause and a cure for the disease.

Jeff Furst, president of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Carolinas Chapter, was proud of the 2012 turnout.

“We appreciate the efforts of everyone who worked so hard to make this event a success, and we look forward to seeing continued fundraising efforts push closer to our goal,” he said.

Along with 4-mile walk route, there will also be hot dogs and barbeque catered by Golden Corral and bagels provided by Brueggers. There’ll be tailgating, $4 beer, face painting, a bounce house and a K-9 Korner.

Walk MS organizers have set a goal of $200,000 with an overall goal of $1.26 million.

Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease that affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S. and 2.5 million worldwide. It disrupts brain signals from going to the body, which causes movement impairment. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, blindness and paralysis.

Though Caucasians are more susceptible to MS, African Americans have a higher likelihood of more severe symptoms at the onset, a more aggressive course of the disease and a faster progression to walking disabilities, according to an article by Mizti Williams, M.D, a neurologist in Augusta, Ga.

Women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with the disease. Most are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50.

To create or join a team, register, donate or find more information on Charlotte Walk MS, go to walknc.nationalmssociety.org or call 1-800 FIGHT MS.